October 17, 2013

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

Growing up, Michael Laudrup was one of my favourite players. I loved chevrons, he had great 80s hair, he was a sleeve tugger, (along with Jesper Olsen... maybe it's a Danish thing), oh, and he was quite good at football.

Penn State's original colors were black and pink (or pink and black, depending on whom you ask). They were changed to blue and white when the uniforms faded over time, the pink becoming white and the black looking more blue.

Not to jinx anything, but *if* the Red Sox win this series, due to the dearth of hitting outside of Napoli, I gotta figure that Uehara is the best candidate on the Sox to be their MVP. These 4 and 5 out saves are so clutch in a crazy tight series like this. I think the last person to win an LCS MVP as a close was Rivera.

What happens to all that used Oregon game gear? Like a Scarlett Johanssen gown, worn once to the Oscars and then never again?

Does it get given away as mementos to program boosters and friends of Phil Knight? Or are there kids in Uganda running around in lime green Ducks helmets and Chicago Bears Super Bowl XLI Champs T-shirts?

I can't recall watching a game where the home plate ball / strike calls were so inconsistent as last night's Sox - Tigers tilt. Normally if an ump either calls a tight or generous strike zone. Last night pitches hitting corners were called balls and pitches way off the plate strikes.

What horrible positioning by the third base umpire during the 8th inning

Agreed that he was too close. I was always taught to try to get far enough away from the play to see the entire play within my field of view, without having to move my eyes or head. In any case, had he not been there, I still think Midddlebrooks would have been safe. The throw was to the plate side of third, and Pena, because of his positioning, was forced to pivot. From what I saw, had he not contacted the umpire, he could not have gotten the tag on the runner in time.

I can't recall watching a game where the home plate ball / strike calls were so inconsistent as last night's Sox - Tigers tilt.

Dale Scott has one of the most consistent strike zones among MLB umpires. The problem is that it tends to move all over the place. It fits the book definition, but knees get higher and lower, letters get to different places on the jersey, and the plate keeps shifting from side to side. I was shifting between the Bruins and the Red Sox, and within 2 or 3 pitches I was screaming at Scott about his strike zone. He needs help, and is one of the more convincing arguments for umpire ratings and demotions for remedial work to the minor leagues.